They were about to leave Yingguan. There were many things to take, and Shen Suinian stood in the courtyard of the inn, directing his men to load the carts. He’d shouted himself hoarse.
“Wait a minute,” he called out in the chaos, stopping a servant. “Where’s the Second Young Master? He’s still not back?”
The servant was just about to answer when a figure suddenly burst through the gate in a whirlwind.
Shen Suinian saw who it was and smiled: “Suifeng…”
But just as he called out the name, the person strode straight past him and rushed upstairs in a flurry.
“What’s going on?” Shen Suinian frowned.
A servant nearby tried to reassure him: “Maybe it was too noisy in the courtyard and Second Young Master didn’t see you.”
But Shen Suinian didn’t think that was it. His younger brother had always been the type to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him—he rarely acted so flustered. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. Finally, he abandoned the courtyard and followed him upstairs.
When he entered Shen Suifeng’s room, he found it in utter disarray—turned completely upside down. Shen Suifeng was sitting amidst the mess, seriously flipping through something.
Shen Suinian was dumbfounded: “Sui… Suifeng, what are you…”
“Brother, please leave. Don’t disturb me.” Shen Suifeng cut him off directly.
Shen Suinian frowned. “We’re leaving tomorrow. You should be packing your things, not—”
“Brother!” Shen Suifeng looked at him irritably.
Shen Suinian froze in place.
Though Shen Suifeng had always been rebellious, he’d always held great respect for this elder brother. It was the first time he had ever spoken to him in such a tone. Shen Suifeng realized it too. After a moment, he sighed and apologized, “Brother, I’m sorry. I lost my temper.”
“It’s fine,” Shen Suinian’s tone softened. “I’m just worried about you.”
“I’m fine, it’s just…” Thinking of what Qi Jingqing had asked him to keep secret, Shen Suifeng frowned deeply. All the words he wanted to say turned into a single sigh. “It’s something else. Brother, please step out. I need to read for a while.”
“If you need anything, call me. I’ll be in the courtyard,” Shen Suinian said, still worried.
Shen Suifeng gave a sound of acknowledgment, and Shen Suinian stepped out.
In the courtyard, most of their luggage had already been packed. Several horse-drawn carts were lined up, and everyone was waiting for Shen Suinian’s instructions.
He gave them a quick glance, but he was in no mood to deal with anything else. So he told them to finish packing the remaining items and then take the rest of the evening to rest.
He had intended to return to his room, but the more he thought about it, the more worried he became. In the end, he sat down right outside Shen Suifeng’s room, ready to burst in at any noise.
And so he waited all night.
Just as dawn was breaking, the door creaked open. Shen Suinian jolted awake, and when he turned around, he met the gaze of Shen Suifeng, who clearly hadn’t slept all night.
“Brother?” Shen Suifeng was startled to see him sitting on the floor outside his door.
Shen Suinian rubbed his temples and stood up, exhausted. “You’re finally awake?”
“You were here the whole night?” they both asked at the same time.
Shen Suifeng paused, a flash of guilt crossing his face. “Brother, I was just about to find you. I might…”
“You won’t be leaving for now, right?” Shen Suinian asked.
Shen Suifeng pressed his lips together. “How did you know?”
“That book you were flipping through yesterday—it’s that strange medical text you came across by accident, isn’t it?” Shen Suinian sighed. “I thought it over last night. You’ve been acting odd ever since coming back from the Marquis Manor. I suppose it’s the Shizi’s condition. He was your first patient and the one you’ve treated the longest. I understand how you feel. But I have things I must do too. I can’t stay behind with you.”
“No need,” Shen Suifeng gathered his focus. “Brother, go take care of your business.”
“But you have to promise me—you’ll take good care of yourself. Eat three meals a day on time. Don’t let yourself worry too much.” Shen Suinian looked him in the eyes.
Shen Suifeng gave a faint smile and was about to nod when Shen Suinian added, “Don’t give me a perfunctory answer.”
“…I understand.” Shen Suifeng pulled himself together.
The sixth day of the first lunar month — an auspicious day for travel.
Amidst the thunderous sound of firecrackers, the Shen family’s caravan, flying the Shen family trade banner, slowly set off in grand formation toward the city gates.
At the gate, Feng Lezhen and the various officials of Yingguan had already been waiting for quite a while. Seeing the Shen caravan approaching from afar, Qi Jingren suddenly let out a sigh: “Shen Suinian is making quite the spectacle. I suppose he’s acting on Your Highness’s orders?”
“Yes,” Feng Lezhen replied with a faint smile, not denying it.
Qi Jingren also smiled. “It seems Your Highness won’t be staying in Yingguan much longer. I wonder when you plan to return to the capital?”
“I’m still waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
“For the right moment.”
Qi Jingren paused, looking at her in confusion.
Feng Lezhen smiled, her mood clearly lifted, and met his gaze. “Remember those people we arrested before the New Year?”
“They confessed?” Qi Jingren raised an eyebrow.
“They’re still tight-lipped,” Feng Lezhen scoffed softly, “but one of them spoke in his sleep a few nights ago and mentioned Fan Yin, the Shilang of Liuzhou.”
“Fan Yin?” Qi Jingren was surprised. “The one who accompanied his wife to her parents’ home two years ago and was ambushed by bandits on the road—his whole family was wiped out?”
“A would-be assassin sent by Feng Ji to kill me actually mentioned Fan Yin. Isn’t that interesting?” Feng Lezhen’s lips curled. “What’s more, two months before Fan Yin was killed, he submitted a memorial impeaching the second son of the Hua family for land seizure and illegal trade. You know who the second son of the Hua family is, don’t you?”
“The emperor’s maternal cousin. I saw him once when I was young and went to the palace with my father. I heard he drowned a few years ago,” Qi Jingren said, then laughed. “Looks like Heaven is truly aiding Your Highness. When Guanyin’s birthday comes in a few days, I’ll fast and pray for three days, hoping Your Highness will soon seize that moment.”
As they chatted, the caravan had arrived.
Shen Suinian dismounted and came forward to bow. Feng Lezhen stepped up to stop him: “No need for formalities, Dalang.”
“Your Highness and the esteemed officials have come to send me off personally—this is a great honor for a commoner like me. I must bow to show my gratitude,” Shen Suinian insisted.
Feng Lezhen stopped him again. “Dalang has given his all for me and for Yingguan. I certainly cannot let you kneel to me.”
“That won’t do, that won’t do…”
The two exchanged pleasantries with sincere emotion, while others nearby smiled and laughed. Hu Wensheng rubbed his nose and leaned toward Qi Jingren to whisper, “Shen Suinian is over forty, right? And yet Her Highness keeps calling him ‘Dalang.’ I wonder who’s actually bigger.”
“Of course Her Highness is,” Qi Jingren curled her lips slightly, still gazing quietly in Feng Lezhen’s direction. “In this world, who could possibly be greater than Her Highness?”
Hu Wensheng’s mouth twitched. He wanted to explain that wasn’t what he meant, but when he met Qi Jingren’s bright and resolute eyes, he felt there was no need to argue.
And—well—it’s true, isn’t it? Who in this world could truly be greater than Her Highness?
…Well, maybe there’s one person in the capital—but who knows how much longer he will remain greater?
After more polite exchanges, it was finally time for farewell. Feng Lezhen glanced toward the carriage behind Shen Suinian, its doors and windows tightly shut, with no one emerging.
After a moment’s thought, she stepped forward.
“This may be a long separation. Aren’t you going to say goodbye to me?” she asked softly with a smile.
There was no response from inside the carriage.
Before she could say more, Shen Suinian hurried forward, “Suifeng had an urgent matter. He left last night.”
Feng Lezhen paused. “Last night?”
“Yes,” Shen Suinian didn’t dare meet her eyes.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a long time, then chuckled, “I’ve made a fool of myself.”
“It’s my fault for not informing Your Highness properly. Please don’t be angry,” Shen Suinian apologized quickly.
They exchanged a few more words. Feng Lezhen raised her hand, and a long horn blew from the city tower. The gates slowly opened.
“Your Highness, after today, news of the Shen family’s alliance with Yingguan will spread far and wide. The Shen clan and I now have no path of retreat. I will be waiting for the day Your Highness returns to the capital, day and night, by the Southern River,” Shen Suinian said, bowing deeply with both hands clasped.
Feng Lezhen accepted the bow calmly, a smile in her eyes.
The city gate opened, then closed again. The crowd that had come to watch began to disperse. Qi Jingren let out a long sigh and came cheerfully toward Feng Lezhen: “Your Highness, shall we go to the barracks for a drink?”
“You seem to be in a very good mood?” Feng Lezhen looked up at her.
Qi Jingren put on a straight face: “Absolutely excellent.”
“Why?”
“Well, to tell the truth, ever since that Dr. Shen came to Yingguan, I’ve been uneasy—afraid that one day you’d stop liking my brother. But now it’s all good. Dr. Shen is gone, and my brother’s position is secure again. How can I not be happy as his younger sister?” Qi Jingren beamed as she shared her little calculation.
Feng Lezhen looked at her smiling eyes and couldn’t help remembering how cold and distant she had been when they first met—pushing others away with her whole demeanor. Who would’ve guessed that, once familiar, she’d turn out to be such a shameless chatterbox?
“Your Highness? Your Highness?” said chatterbox was still pestering.
Feng Lezhen glanced at her. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Qi Jingren paused.
“You said we’d drink at the barracks,” Feng Lezhen said as she turned and walked away.
Qi Jingren had just been speaking casually, never expecting her to actually agree. She instantly perked up and hurried after her.
In any town, the arrival of a merchant caravan always brings fresh goods and excitement. And when a caravan leaves, the place becomes noticeably quieter. Now that the Shen family’s caravan had departed, Yingguan was noticeably more subdued—not only were there fewer goods and novelties for the common folk to enjoy, but even the local businesses had seen a sharp decline in customers.
The inn that had hosted the Shen family had also quieted down. In fact, the private room at the very end of the fifth floor hadn’t been opened once in the three days since the Shen family left.
“Manager, if this keeps up, we really should send someone up to check. He hasn’t eaten or drunk anything for three days—what if he dies in there? That Eldest Master Shen said we must take good care of Second Young Master,” the waiter said anxiously.
The manager was troubled as well. “We already sent someone before. As soon as they knocked, something was thrown at them and they were told to get lost. Even tore the paper seal on the door. I had to get someone to paste it again—who dares go near him now?”
“Could it be that Second Young Master Shen has gone mad? Wasn’t he a gentle person before…”
The two of them discussed for a long time, still feeling uneasy. They exchanged a glance, and suddenly the waiter had an idea: “Wait! How about we go to the Eldest Princess’s residence?”
“The Eldest Princess’s residence?” The manager paused.
“Everyone in Yingguan knows that Second Young Master Shen used to be close to Her Highness. If we report this to her, and she’s concerned, she’ll send someone herself. If not, at least we tried. If something really happens to him here and Young Master Shen questions us, we’ll have an explanation.” The waiter reasoned.
The manager nodded repeatedly. “Right, right, you think faster than I do. Get the horses ready—I’ll go in person—”
He hadn’t finished speaking when there was a loud bang from upstairs, followed by hurried footsteps. The two of them turned and saw Shen Suifeng, eyes red, gripping something tightly as he rushed out. In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared from their sight.
They were speechless for a moment before the waiter cautiously asked, “So… are we still going to the Eldest Princess’s?”
“Go for what? He’s already gone. What’s the point now?” the manager decided and dropped the matter.
Shen Suifeng galloped to the marquis’s residence in the shortest time possible. As soon as he dismounted, he rushed inside. The gatekeeper instinctively tried to stop him, but when he saw who it was, he immediately stepped aside, even pulling back a nearby guard who was about to intervene.
“You know who that is? That’s Doctor Shen. He’s clearly here in a hurry—must be something about the shizi. Don’t interfere,” he scolded.
Hearing the gatekeeper’s words, Shen Suifeng suddenly stopped, thought for a moment, then turned back. “Where are the Marquis and Madam?”
“G-gone out,” the gatekeeper quickly replied.
Shen Suifeng frowned deeply and whispered a few words to him. After getting his agreement, he headed straight for the main courtyard. The page boy, seeing it was him, hurried over and saluted. “Doctor Shen—”
“Stand guard at the door. Don’t let anyone in,” Shen Suifeng ordered without looking back as he entered the room.
Inside the bedroom, Qi Jingqing was watering a potted plant. Hearing movement, he turned his head and saw Shen Suifeng, eyes bloodshot, face unshaven, clothes wrinkled. He was visibly surprised. “What happened to you? Why do you look like this?”
Shen Suifeng didn’t answer. He simply threw the thing in his hand onto the table. Qi Jingqing followed the sound and saw a book in complete disarray.
“This is a medical book I found over the past two years. It contains a method that can save you,” Shen Suifeng said, looking at him intently. “I can save you.”
Qi Jingqing paused. “You went away for so many days just to find this?”
“I can save you,” Shen Suifeng repeated.
Qi Jingqing let out a soft laugh. “What are the side effects?”
Shen Suifeng hesitated.
“There are always side effects, right?” Qi Jingqing smiled faintly at him. “If there weren’t, you’d have brought this book out long ago.”
Though they had grown distant in recent years, he still trusted Shen Suifeng’s character—knew that if he was determined to treat a patient, he would never withhold anything.
Shen Suifeng’s Adam’s apple moved. After a long moment, he spoke slowly. “I used the method in this book to save two people. Their lives were preserved, but one went blind, the other lost their ability to speak, and their legs were also affected…”
He paused, then continued faster, “But ever since I got this book, I’ve been working on improving the method. Just recently I’ve made some breakthroughs. As long as you’re willing to go through with it, you can live a long life.”
“What’s the cost?” Qi Jingqing asked again.
Shen Suifeng was silent for a moment. “Most of the formulas in this book use poison. The residual toxins cause various non-fatal side effects. In my modified version, I can use silver needles to seal your acupoints, then draw out the poisoned blood with a guiding technique… But the released poison gas will cause skin ulceration—possibly other symptoms too.”
He hurriedly added, “I’m not sure what exactly, but compared to blindness, muteness, or losing limbs, this is likely the mildest and safest side effect. Even if you won’t be fully normal, you’ll live to a natural old age…”
“If the ulcers appear, can the wounds fully recover?” Qi Jingqing interrupted.
Shen Suifeng frowned. “It’s toxin burns. They can heal, but not fully recover.”
With that, the room fell completely silent.
After a long pause, Qi Jingqing spoke slowly, “Will the ulceration disfigure me?”
“Is that important?” Shen Suifeng frowned deeper.
Qi Jingqing chuckled softly. “It’s very important.”
Shen Suifeng was silent for a moment. After locking eyes with him briefly, his heart sank. “If it will disfigure you… you won’t go through with the treatment?”
Qi Jingqing said nothing, but the answer was obvious.
“Qi Jingqing!” Shen Suifeng took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. “Are you out of your mind? What could be more important than your life? You’re worried about your face getting damaged, but if you die, in ten days you’ll just be a rotting corpse—then what’s left of your appearance?”
“At least by then I’ll be buried deep in the ground, and no one will see it.”
“You—”
In the past, when he encountered patients this uncooperative, Shen Suifeng would simply give up. But this was Qi Jingqing. Anger surged through him, and the only thing he could do was throw the cup in his hand to the ground in frustration.
With the sound of shattering porcelain, the page boy rushed in in a panic. When he saw the broken shards on the ground, he froze. “Th-this is…”
“It’s nothing. You may leave,” Qi Jingqing said slowly.
The page boy looked worried but ultimately turned to go.
At the doorway, he looked back uneasily. “Dr. Shen… the shizi has never had many friends since he was young. You’re the most important one. Whenever something happens, he’s always thinking of you. If he’s offended you in any way, I hope you won’t hold it against him.”
Qi Jingqing’s expression didn’t change, and Shen Suifeng turned his face away coldly.
These two, neither of them were easy to deal with. The page boy gave a bitter smile and sighed as he left.
Inside the quiet room, Qi Jingqing got up and picked up scissors, carefully trimming the greenery by the window. Shen Suifeng didn’t look at him, just fumed silently.
After a long while, Qi Jingqing finally spoke slowly: “Dr. Shen, I’m not like you. I didn’t go through hardships with Her Highness. I’m not like Fu Zhixian, who accompanied her during the most important years of her life. I’m not even like you, with a strong body able to bring her constant joy. As much as I don’t want to admit it, her feelings for me… aren’t that deep. If she likes you tenfold, she only likes me threefold. And of those three parts, one comes from childhood memories. The rest… is just because of my looks. If I lose this face…”
“Even if you did, Her Highness would never abandon you,” Shen Suifeng interrupted coldly.
Qi Jingqing smiled faintly. “Her Highness is kind and loyal. Of course she wouldn’t leave me. But without this face, to her, I’d become just a responsibility. She’s so wonderful—there will always be others drawn to her. Then what do I have to keep her?”
Snip—a dried yellow branch was cut away. Qi Jingqing held it in his hand, his expression unreadable.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again. “I once told her I didn’t want anything—just to keep a place by her side. But the truth is, people are greedy. What I want… isn’t just to stay by her side, but to be in her heart. If I have this face, one day I’ll turn her threefold affection into ten. Even if more people come later to vie for her, I won’t be afraid. But if this face is ruined… I’ll have nothing left.”
When he looked up at Shen Suifeng, he couldn’t help but laugh. “You know better than anyone—Her Highness has always liked beautiful people, hasn’t she?”
Shen Suifeng’s expression was complicated. “And for that… you’re giving up treatment?”
“If I don’t get treated, how much time do I have left?” Qi Jingqing countered.
Shen Suifeng: “…At most, one year.”
“That’s enough,” Qi Jingqing lowered his gaze and continued trimming the plants. “She already likes me threefold. One year should be enough to make it ten.”
“And then what?” Shen Suifeng frowned tightly. “When you finally get her full affection and then suddenly die, all her love turns to grief. Do you want her to live the rest of her life with guilt?”
Qi Jingqing’s expression was calm. “As long as you don’t tell her the reason I refused treatment, why would she feel guilty?”
Shen Suifeng’s eyes turned cold. “Foolish. Qi Jingqing, everyone says you’re clever and meticulous, but the more I look at you, the more foolish you seem.”
“I suppose I am,” Qi Jingqing said helplessly. “Whenever it comes to her, I can’t help but act foolish. I only ask that, for the sake of our long acquaintance, you let me have my way—just this once. After all…”
He smiled again. “After all, you’re the doctor who’s treated me the longest. You know best—this body of mine has been deteriorating ever since I fell into the river at age eight. Living to over twenty is already more than I ever expected…”
“If you refuse treatment, have you thought about the marquis and madam?” Shen Suifeng interrupted again.
Qi Jingqing paused, lowering his eyes. “It’s precisely because I’ve thought about them that I have to refuse.”
“If not for me, Father wouldn’t have given up power so early to Jingren. He belongs on the battlefield, as Yingguan’s guardian deity, but because of me… And Mother, there’s no need to even mention. I used to hear Grandmother talk about her youth all the time. Back then she loved to laugh, loved to tease, always went to banquets and spring outings. But ever since I was born…” He gave a helpless smile. “You said it yourself—aside from disfigurement, there may be other side effects. If the illness still leaves me frail… If I don’t get treated, they’ll still have some freedom left. But if I do… I’m afraid they’ll be chained to me for the rest of their lives.”
“Such noble-sounding excuses,” Shen Suifeng was unmoved. “I don’t care whether you want to live or die. I promised my master I would do everything I could to save your life—and I will keep that promise.”
“And if I don’t cooperate, what will you do?” Qi Jingqing remained calm. “Tell Her Highness? If I refuse treatment, no one can persuade me. If she learns the truth, when I die, she’ll only feel worse. Do you want her to be that devastated?”
“Who said I’d tell Her Highness?” Shen Suifeng shot back.
Qi Jingqing froze. Then he suddenly realized something was wrong. “You wouldn’t…”
Before he could finish, the door creaked open. Qi Zhen and Song Lian stood outside, stunned. The page boy was waiting in the distance, and when he saw the door open, he hurried over. “Y-young lord, the Marquis and Madam suddenly arrived… I couldn’t stop them…”
Sensing the tension, the boy fell silent.
Qi Jingqing’s breath quickened. When he looked at Shen Suifeng again, his eyes were no longer calm. “Shen Suifeng—how could you…”
“What are you looking at me for? I originally planned to discuss your treatment with them. How was I supposed to know you’d be so foolish as to refuse over a mere face?” Shen Suifeng showed no remorse.
Qi Jingqing took a deep breath, about to argue, but Song Lian suddenly burst into tears and rushed in, beating him furiously.
“You little b*stard! Why didn’t you tell us you were sick? Why won’t you accept treatment? If we hadn’t heard all this today, were you planning to keep hiding it? You ungrateful child! How did I give birth to someone so heartless…”
The usually elegant and composed Madam Marquis was now crying and cursing like a madwoman. Qi Jingqing’s face was pale from her blows, yet he still reached out to steady her. “Mother, please don’t upset yourself…”
He shot a furious glare at Shen Suifeng—but unfortunately, those eyes of his were far too beautiful. At this moment, slightly glazed over with tears, they completely lacked intimidation. Shen Suifeng remained expressionless, thinking to himself, No wonder he’s willing to risk his life to keep that face.
Song Lian wanted to continue lashing out, but Qi Jingqing was already struggling to cope. Shen Suifeng noticed the sweat breaking out on his forehead and immediately sealed a few of his acupoints with silver needles. When Song Lian saw how weak and uncomfortable Qi Jingqing looked, she finally quieted down and only sobbed softly.
At last, the room fell into calm.
“Jingqing, just let Dr. Shen treat you. Once you’re treated, you’ll be just like a normal person,” Song Lian’s voice was hoarse from crying. When she spoke again, her tone was much softer. “Haven’t you always wanted to try galloping on horseback? Your father will teach you to ride, and the two of you can go hunting together. I’ll wait at home for you both—wait for you to bring back the game, and I’ll cook you a good meal.”
Qi Jingqing’s eyes turned red at the corners. “Mother…”
“I know—you like Her Highness. You’re afraid that if your appearance is ruined, she won’t like you anymore,” Song Lian rushed to persuade him, afraid he would refuse. “But don’t worry, she won’t abandon you. Your father and your sister both serve her with their lives—she could never treat you badly.”
A flash of pain passed through Qi Jingqing’s eyes. “But Mother, I don’t want to rely on Father and Sister to keep her by my side.”
“No, no, that’s not what we’re doing. We’re not threatening her—we’re just all treating her well, giving her everything we can. Heart for heart, Her Highness will understand. And as for your father and me, you don’t need to worry. We—”
“That’s enough,” Qi Zhen, who had remained silent, suddenly interrupted coldly. “You raised him—don’t you know your own son’s temperament? I imagine he’s already thought through all of this. What use is saying all this now?”
Song Lian’s expression turned to despair, and she screamed at him: “But am I supposed to just stand by and watch our son die?!”
Qi Zhen didn’t respond. He walked forward, expressionless, until he stood before Qi Jingqing. “Let me ask you: have you truly made up your mind?”
Qi Jingqing looked at him, eyes red. “Father…”
Before he could finish, Qi Zhen suddenly knelt down in front of him.
Everyone in the room turned pale. After realizing what had happened, they all hurried to help him up.
“Don’t touch me!” Qi Zhen flung Qi Jingqing’s hand away and shouted. When he looked back at his son, his eyes were already bloodshot. “Even with me begging you like this, you still won’t change your mind?”
Qi Jingqing also knelt, tears choking his voice. “Father, I really don’t want to—”
He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“I know. I heard everything earlier,” Qi Zhen’s voice was hoarse. “You don’t want to drag your mother and me down any further.” He reached out as if to touch his son’s face, but his hands trembled so much he had to give up. “I understand. But Jingqing… what can we do? Your mother and I have given up everything for you. We even neglected your sister, who was born at the same time as you. We’ve given you everything we could. If you die, what will we do—follow you in death?”
“No…” Qi Jingqing trembled violently, his whole body wracked with pain.
Qi Zhen gave a bitter smile. “Live—for us. I know you want to set us free. But if you die, that’s when we truly have nothing. I beg you—live, just live. We don’t need you to be perfectly healthy—we just want you alive. As long as you’re alive, there’s still hope. But if you die…”
Just imagining it made him feel like he couldn’t breathe. A man who had seen countless deaths on the battlefield was, in this moment, so pained by the prospect of losing his son, it was as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
“I beg you…” He could no longer say anything else.
Qi Jingqing, his hands trembling, pulled his father into an embrace. Only then did he realize that the towering, strong figure he remembered had now become thin and frail. Song Lian broke into uncontrollable sobs and threw her arms around the both of them.
After a long time, Qi Jingqing gave a quiet answer: “Alright.”
Shen Suifeng’s eyes lit up. “What did you say?”
“I’ll accept treatment,” Qi Jingqing said, his breath shaky, but without hesitation.
At last, a hint of a smile appeared on Shen Suifeng’s face. He turned at once to prepare the medicinal ingredients—but as soon as he turned around, he froze completely. “Your Highness…”
Qi Jingqing was momentarily stunned. Following Shen Suifeng’s gaze, he saw Feng Lezhen standing quietly outside the door.
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